Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and second leading cause of death second only to heart disease! November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and brings awareness to the ways we can all strive to improve our lung health. The first is prevention. If you or someone you know used cigarettes for 30 or more years, you may be eligible for a lung cancer screening low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan. Lung cancer screening extends life by detecting cancer early, which can be cured by means of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Medical advances have also improved our ability to treat late-stage lung cancer with therapy that targets genetic mutations specific to cancer cells. Our WWMG pulmonology provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive care to our patients by using the latest technology to provide diagnoses and treatments through a minimally invasive approach including electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, thoracic ultrasonography. “We are the only pulmonology group north of Seattle with the expertise, resources, and commitment to provide this level of care”, says Dr. Niket Nathani, who recently joined WWMG. “I focused my training at the University of Michigan on complex lung disease, including lung cancer and pleural disease, and I am excited to bring those skills to my new role as a member of the Pulmonary & Asthma group at WWMG.”
Article contributed by Tomasz Ziedalski, MD, FCCP – Western Washington Medical Group